Centerpiece 101: Rules and Ideas

Centerpieces will always add some pizzazz to your table, but don’t let it get out of control. Here are a few rules and ideas on making a stunning centerpiece.

Rules:

Watch the height. Centerpieces that are too tall will block your guest from the people sitting across the table making it difficult to converse. Make sure you can easily see over your centerpiece.

No overpowering smells. Make sure that the materials you use in your centerpiece don’t have an overpowering smell. At the dinner table, you’ll want your guests to smell the delightful food you’ve prepared, not the centerpiece.

Keep it clean. Avoid elaborate arrangements with loose pieces like confetti or rose petals. They’ll undoubtedly end up stuck to the bottom of the serving dish and possibly end up falling your guest’s plate.

Ideas:

Food for thought. Using food items is a great way to decorate the table. Keep it simple with some fruit in glass containers. Or use the center of your table to display candies that can also double as dessert.

Candlelight. Candles always make a nice statement. Just make sure they’re unscented and out of the way of anything flammable.

Not your typical vase. Use a teapot for your flower arrangement or try placing some colorful fruit in a metal colander. You don’t have to use plain old vases and bowls.

For more information on setting a table, check out the Casual Table Zabcast.